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New Jersey

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September 22, 2016

Day trip to High Point State Park, New Jersey

The longer I live in New Jersey, the more I fall in love with all it has to offer. That's a big change from 6 years ago when living in New York and not thinking much of my neighboring state. It's been s much fun venturing out in search of new hiking trails and lear[...]

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July 26, 2016

Nature finds for weekend fun in New Jersey

This is one of the first years we have been home all summer. We have loved it though at first it was hard. For my kids the start was bumpy because they suddenly found themselves with not much to do (I also didn't sign them up for all-summer camp!) and most of t[...]

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November 2, 2015

Five things I love about New Jersey

I've lived in New Jersey now for about 4 years now. Like most hardcore New Yorkers, it's been a slow process to get me to let go of this idea that I have to venture into the city for good food, entertainment, or activities. I still get teased by friends for bec[...]

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May 29, 2014

Our Fun Staycation Weekend

My family and I are huge fans of staycations. They encourage us to still go out and discover something new together closer to home. Toyota contacted me recently and asked me to check out their 2014 Highlander for a few days. Of course, testing out cars means wee[...]

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June 19, 2013

A Weekend at Morey’s Piers, NJ

A visit to the Jersey Shore and a boardwalk experience that becomes a favorite vacation spot.

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June 17, 2013

Two NJ Beaches, Two NJ Experiences: From Belmar to Atlantic City

This travel post is part of a host agreement. A couple of weekends ago I headed out to join a group of fellow bloggers to give New Jersey beaches a shout out. Weather-wise it wasn't the best weekend. We've been experiencing lots of rain lately, and though I was h[...]

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May 28, 2013

A Walk Through History at Duke Farms, NJ

Oh, New Jersey. You never cease to amaze me. We've enjoyed finding more and more ways to spend time outdoors, in nature. But most of all, we've been able to enjoy it all at minimal cost, if not free. We've such enjoyed these awesome finds that when we aren't travel[...]

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January 30, 2013

An Afternoon at the Morris Museum in Morristown, NJ

What is so great about NJ, I am finding, is that like NYC, it has a lot of different neighborhoods, each with its own personality. Traveling into a different neighborhood can make for a nice list of varied experiences and opportunities to explore. This weekend,[...]

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November 14, 2012

A Visit to Princeton, NJ

One of the things that I am loving about living in New Jersey is how easily and quickly it is to access smaller, cute towns that make for either great family getaways or romantic destinations. What most people know about Princeton, NJ is limited to the university[...]

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October 2, 2012

Cupcake Corral Café & Bakery, Maplewood, NJ

Update: The Cupcake Corral is now The Cedar Ridge Cafe, with same wonderful cupcakes and a few extra treats on the menu. Rarely is there a pastry that brings more joy to the soul than the perfect cupcake. Even I, who often fails to enjoy in the delights of ba[...]

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Snow day and the art of doing nothing even when th Snow day and the art of doing nothing even when the world demands we do so much. 

It’s ok to breathe. Process in silence. Seek comfort in yourself. Laugh. 

REST IS RESISTANCE. 

They want us scared. Broken. Isolated. Hopeless. Joyless. Exhausted. We are not. This moment is not how our story ends. 

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation and that is an act of political warfare.” - Audre Lorde
A wintery day with coffee and books was had in Syr A wintery day with coffee and books was had in Syracuse, NY. For our coffee cart (@cafecomodony ) we headed over to @peakscoffeeco roasting site and were treated to a tour and cupping experience of their beautiful coffee selections which we are excited to serve at market this summer. 

We then headed to Books and Melodies to browse through their large selection of used books and vintage vinyls, while the cozy vibey tunes filled the space. 

Followed that with a stop at @kelseyscoffeeandfriends for a warm matcha and delicious breakfast burrito. And while a visit to Peaks Coffee roasters is not a public affair, you can still pick up a bag or two or more at Kelsey’s - trust us, it’s worth it!

Stay warm and safe out there everyone!

#syracuseny #newyork #winterday #thingstodoinsyracuse #booklover
People are sharing memories from 2016 but I think People are sharing memories from 2016 but I think this is my favorite one: going to Jamaica for work with my family. We went on a family adventure and it was the first time the boys were trying snorkeling. 

My youngest was so so scared but I made him get in the water still promising him I would hold his hand, be with him the entire time, and never leave his side. 

When I made him get in the water the other tourists on the boat gave me nasty looks and made comments making it clear they thought I was a shit mom for “ignoring” my son’s fears. I jumped into the water and he was crying tears coming down from behind his snorkel mask. I held his hand as promised and we started swimming.

The coral reef was bustling with life. Fish of all colors, eel, sand sharks, starfish. I wasn’t sure if it would terrify him or excite him. 

I would occasionally check on him with a thumbs up sign and he would confirm with a thumbs up back. After a while he signaled to come up and said “It’s ok mom. I can go on my own from here.” And let go of my hand and off he went. 

I watched him swim away from me and then it was me who started crying feeling both pride in him and that bittersweetness in seeing him not need me anymore. This memory still makes me cry. Today the little boy is pursuing a career in environmental science and forestry and photography (see his work at @liamlcc).

The second best memory of 2016 was Elle King renewing our vows at the Beacon Theater during one of her NYC concerts. Travis had arranged the entire thing…a blur as I was in shock the whole time! We just celebrated 23 years together❤️
@sagra_italia, a newly opened “Brooklyn-style” @sagra_italia, a newly opened “Brooklyn-style” Italian cafe has opened in Rochester, and though I am always skeptical of anything claimed to be “Brooklyn”, I have to say, it was really pretty close. 

We started at the bar for drinks and light bites, where the bartender was friendly and made some pretty kick-ass drinks. We then moved to an open table (no reservations here - walk in and grab an open spot) before ordering from the counter (food is brought to you) You bus your own table, which I think contributes significantly to the affordable menu, and which I honestly didn’t mind. 

The food was solid. I ordered the funghi pasta and we shared a Caesar and fried burrata, which was 😘👌🏾❤️!

The whole vibe was exactly what I needed and the perfect spot to catch up with Rochester friends on a snowy night. 

Kitchen closes at 9PM, bar closes at 10. 

And if you’ve ever been to @tapas177 next door and loved it (if you haven’t, you should go), it’s by the same family. 

Highly recommend and excited to go back. Another Rochester win!

#fingerlakes #rochesterny #rochestereats #newyork #italianfood @visitrochester
The world feels heavy, so here’s some light I no The world feels heavy, so here’s some light I noticed today: this dormant field of wildflowers we planted has been nesting bunny rabbits, birds, and little insect ecosystems this cold season. So even though on the surface it just looks like a field of dead and dried stems, when you look deeper, you’ll notice that it’s also a reprieve, a safe space, a comfort, and a resting place. 

I guess, maybe, that’s a lot of us right now. A little worn out. Tired. Sad. Drained. Overwhelmed. But we can also be someone’s comfort, safe space, peace, shoulder, friend…a little light for those who need it. And maybe that’s what we should remember to keep us going.
I get asked often if I miss the city, and the answ I get asked often if I miss the city, and the answer is all the time, but not really, but also yes, but kinda…depends. 

I think living in a slower paced environment has been good for me. Healthy and challenging in different ways. I sometimes get restless, but often need rest too. I love the space both environmently and in time to be creative. And I love that if I ever do get too restless, I am not far from Rochester (a city I’ve grown to love) or NYC. 

But I also love that when I feel any sense of anxiety, I can step outside, be surrounded by nature, and come back home a little more healed. Life is unpredictable, but during my era of slow living, I want to make sure to appreciate and enjoy all it offers.

#fingerlakes #newyork #slowliving #citygirlinthecountry

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